description SS Grandcamp Overview
SS Grandcamp was a French cargo ship destroyed in the Texas City disaster on April 16, 1947. While docked at Texas City, Texas, a fire aboard the vessel reached its cargo of ammonium nitrate and caused a massive explosion, which triggered further fires and explosions in the industrial port. The disaster killed nearly 600 people, injured thousands, and became a major case in the history of industrial safety and emergency management.
insights Ranking position
SS Grandcamp ranks #50 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, behind SS Laconia, ahead of USS Lexington (CV-2).
help SS Grandcamp FAQ
What cargo caused the SS Grandcamp explosion?
The ship was carrying roughly 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer when a fire reached the cargo. The Grandcamp exploded shortly after 9:00 a.m. on April 16, 1947.
Why did firefighters use steam on the Grandcamp fire?
The crew attempted to smother the fire with steam while avoiding water damage to the cargo. Sealing the hold and adding steam instead trapped heat around the decomposing ammonium nitrate.
Did another ship explode after the SS Grandcamp?
Yes. Fire spread to the nearby SS High Flyer, which also carried ammonium nitrate and exploded about 16 hours later.
How deadly was the Texas City disaster?
The explosions and resulting industrial fires killed more than 500 people and injured thousands. It remains one of the deadliest industrial disasters in United States history.
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